Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½, nor claim to.
Chapter Eighteen: Missing:
"This world can turn me down, but I won't turn away. And I won't duck and run, because I'm not built that way!" Three Doors Down: Duck and Run
"What are you talking about?" Sauske asked, trying to stay calm under his friends renewed interrogation.
"Don't lie to us, Sauske!" Hojo announced, staring him down. "You know that girl!"
"What about it?"
"Are you cheating on Keira?!" Mayu interjected.
Sauske stared at her. "What does that mean?! How can I be cheating on her when we're just friends?!"
"So, you're going out with Aki then?" Ganko returned.
"No, that's not it at all!" Sauske shouted, sweating.
"Then how do you know her?!" Mayu asked angrily.
Sauske had to think fast. It was lunch on the cloudy Tuesday, he hadn't eaten yet, and his friends were on the verge of discovering the fact that he was engaged. He couldn't let that happen. Then, inspiration struck. When you can't zig, just zag instead.
"Why, Mayu? You want me to introduce you to your new crush?" he asked slyly.
Mayu instantly blushed, and slid back. "W-what are you talking about! I do not have a crush on Chii!"
"Then why are you blushing so much?" Sauske returned, gaining some confidence. Mayu's mouth moved to answer, but nothing came out.
When Ganko followed that up with, "Why are you always staring at him, then?" Sauske knew he was safe. He had deflected the subject to, ironically, Mayu. He smirked to himself. Just call it getting even for the past few weeks. When Hojo joined Ganko in questioning, Sauske breathed a sigh of complete relief.
Safety at last.
- - -
It was only fifteen minutes after school had gotten out for her, but she knew she had to hurry anyway. They were going to meet in the park, and she didn't want to miss this chance. She might not get another. After racing down the streets quickly, she turned the corner. There it was, the central park here in Tokyo. And there, she saw the boy, waiting patiently.
Dashing up to him, the boy noticed her and smiled, which she returned as she slowed to a stop. "Uh, hi, Aki." Naruto replied carefully. "So, what's the plan for today?"
"Today?" Aki replied with a slight smile. "We spar."
- - -
Sauske slid the door open carefully, before jumping into the dojo. "HA!" he shouted, thinking he got the jump on him. But no.
Naruto wasn't here either.
"Ha?" Nabiki asked, walking past the door outside, as Sauske walked back out.
The boy glanced up at his aunt, before sighing. "Sorry, I just thought Naruto was around. You haven't seen him, have you?"
Nabiki shook her head. "No, haven't seen him. So, he still attacks every day?" Sauske nodded. "Well, you never know. He might be plotting something."
Sauske laughed. "Naurto? Planning? Uh-uh, no way. He couldn't plan a meal, let alone an attack."
Nabiki smirked, nodding, before walking back to the house. "If you say so."
- - -
It had been an hour of sparring, with Aki holding back to reach just above his level. "Well, Naruto-kun . . . that is enough . . . for today." She said calmly, helping him back up to his feet.
Naruto rubbed his forehead a bit. "Really? That's all? Cause I can go for a while longer if you want. My back doesn't hurt too bad."
Aki glanced up at him, then examined the park around them. There was a dented tree from where he had crashed into it fifteen minutes ago, a park bench he had smashed into and knocked over, several fallen branches he had collided with and knocked off the trees, and a small crater where he had impacted from a hearty throw.
Now, she knew she had been holding back greatly in her technique, while not so much in strength, but looking the boy over, he seemed unharmed. He was rubbing his back now, but was otherwise only a little sweaty and dusty. Tired, but not finished. The girl smiled. "Naruto-kun, I think this is going to work out perfectly."
"Huh?" the blond boy asked.
"Nothing." Aki replied, still smiling. "Are you sure you . . . can keep going? . . . I won't be holding . . . back this time."
He scowled at that. "No, I'm fine." He replied coldly.
She smirked. "Then . . . let's fight!"
- - -
Aki hopped off the bus after helping Naruto aboard. He didn't look too good, she had really pounded on him. So, the bus would take him much closer to home, since it looked like he wouldn't make it out of the park alone. But Aki was both happy and sad.
Sad, because she may have just injured her trainee on the first day. It was just supposed to be a day of examination, but it ended up a full scale test of his endurance. Hopefully, he'd be better by tomorrow, or the day after. At least enough to do some light training.
Happy, because she knew exactly what to do. Naruto had lasted a long time against her attacks, taking hit after hit and not falling. She had held back some strength to move quickly and avoid every hit thrown back, but she had pounded on him pretty hard for fifteen minutes. Sauske might, might be stronger than her, but it would still be tough for him to win. Years of being beaten on had toughened him up.
Plus, he was strong. They had started off by having him punch her hands, and the first ones were like a raging bull. They were slow, and had very little technique behind them, meaning they were as obvious as a raging bull, but there was enough power to shove her back several feet when she was ready for it.
Sauske may be able to take hits like him, since he had stood up to several relentless assaults by her without falling, but Naruto could be strong enough to take him down. Now, all he needed was technique, and the boy would be unstoppable. If he could fight better, all these advantages over Sauske would become apparent.
And then her fiancé would have two choices: lose or fight. And no way would the Saotome Ranma she had heard about teach his son to lose.
- - -
It was a beautiful Wednesday afternoon when Keira came dashing up to Sauske. "Sauske-kun!" Keira shouted, flipping up over the fence and landing next to her friend. "How are you?!"
"Eh, okay, I guess." He replied cheerfully.
"What does that mean?" the girl asked curiously.
"Well, it's Naruto."
Suddenly, the girl's face turned dark. "That idiot again, huh? Well, I'll make him . . ."
"No, no, no, the thing is, I haven't seen him since Monday." Keira turned back, shocked. "He didn't come by yesterday."
"You mean he actually didn't attack for once?!" Keira shouted in surprise.
Sauske shook his head. "Nope. He's been missing. And he still hasn't shown up yet today either."
Keira glanced around for a second, and didn't see him. "Are you worried?"
Sauske thought about that for a minute.
"Nah, not really. It's just Naruto. If he is trying to plan something, it shouldn't be a problem."
Keira smiled, stepping slightly closer to him. "Yeah, you're probably right."
- - -
Nabiki placed the phone on the receiver gently, before sighing loudly. Walking back into the living room, she noticed a familiar form sitting on the edge of the deck, resting one arm on his knee, and letting his other leg dangle down the edge of the platform. Slinking over, she sat down next to him, leaning over to rest her head on his shoulder.
"Good news or bad news?" Brandon asked quietly.
Nabiki sighed again, staring off into nowhere. "Bad. They want one of us on another trip in two days. Beijing. And, of course, they did not give me time to talk them out of it."
"All right, then I'll go. You look like you're pretty frazzled already. And you deserve some time at home."
Nabiki shook her head slowly. "No, it is my turn. I will go." She leaned up to look him in the eye. "And there is no changing my mind."
"You sure you want to do that?"
The Japanese woman nodded, before leaning back down. "Besides, while I would rather you come along too, I do not want to leave the children in Ranma and Akane's hands every time they ram a trip down our throats."
"Nabiki, you should stay. I can go in your place, you know. And I don't mind. You said you wanted to spend more time at home. So, just stay. I'll take care of this one."
Nabiki shook her head again against his shoulder. "No, I need some time alone again. Just this one, then it is your turn. Deal?"
Brandon sighed, but nodded. "All right, but just this time. Next one's mine, for certain."
Nabiki just nodded, and sighed again, letting her eyes glide shut.
- - -
Wednesday came, and Sauske found himself walking the road home alone again. And, a familiar figure appeared next to him.
"Hello, Sauske-kun!" Keira shouted happily. "Any word on Naruto?"
"Nope, nothing." Sauske said with a smile. "So, I'm enjoying it all I can."
The two of them laughed.
"I got news on them." A new voice suddenly said. The boy and girl looked up, and saw a familiar Kolhotz High student standing before them, smirking. "Do you want to know it?"
"Oh, hello, Kite." Sauske said. "Sure, what's up with your brother, if you don't mind telling us?"
"Only if you do me a favor." Kite replied. Sauske nodded, and so the older Hibiki brother reached into his bag and pulled out a book. "Sakura wanted to borrow this from me, so just tell her I want it back by next week. She'll probably like it, though."
The two Furinkan students glanced at the cover. It was called The Best Techniques Ever Made: Kendo. Sauske took the book, before sliding it into his bag. "Yeah, that's no problem."
Kite nodded, when Keira spoke up. "So, where's Naruto?"
Kite smirked. "I didn't think he had it in him, but the squirt's got a girlfriend and a training buddy in one person. She's been helping him fight better. If I were you, Sauske, I'd watch out. The girl's pretty good."
"Who is she?" Sauske asked back.
"Don't know. He refuses to tell us who she is and denies that she's his girlfriend. But you wouldn't believe how happy she is whenever he pops up into view. She's almost ecstatic." Kite leaned in towards Sauske, smirking. "Plus, she's hot."
"Get your brain out of the gutter." Keira muttered angrily back. "Sauske's already has enough girl problems."
"Oh, and who caused them?" he asked, glancing at Keira and smiling his little fanged smile.
"That would be him." Keira muttered angrily, clenching the hand Kite couldn't see at her side, before starting to walk away down the street, ignoring them.
Kite watched her go, shocked, before turning back to Sauske. "Jeeze, Sauske, what the hell did you say to her?"
"Me?!" Sauske blurted out. "Don't you think it was you who might have made her mad?!"
"What did I say? I was talking about someone else. Not her." He glanced at Keira over his shoulder. "You didn't say something stupid, did you?"
"No I did not!" Sauske said loudly.
Kite suddenly got hit with an inspiration. "Oh, I think I see why she's mad. She probably thinks you don't think she's hot."
"W-what?"
Keira stopped as Kite continued. "Well, do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Do you think Keira is hot?"
Sauske turned bright red. "NO!" he shouted.
SCHING! The ringing noise of metal resounded through the suddenly quiet sidewalk. Sauske glanced up at Keira, and started staring. "Uh . . .uh oh." He said softly.
"Sauske-kun," Keira began quietly, before her voice rose to a scream, "YOU TRAITOR!"
Sauske took a step back, before turning and sprinting down the street. "Keira, I didn't mean it like that!" he shouted, running for the fence and jumping up. Kite watched as Keira raced by and hopped up onto the fence effortlessly, her sword drawn, ready to strike.
The boy blinked. "Jeeze, Sauske, you're supposed to be the kind one."
- - -
Sauske glanced carefully around himself. It was Thursday. Keira had already run past, and it didn't look like she wanted to talk to him today. He felt bad about what he had said to his friend, but it wasn't his fault. And it wasn't like he actually meant it either, it was just a spur of the moment. Then again, Keira had been acting a bit weird since that Friday where he got officially engaged to Aki. Why, he didn't know. But, it would be best to avoid her for a little while.
But Naruto was planning something. That was not comforting. He knew Naruto wasn't that great of a fighter, but it takes somebody good to impress Kite. He should kick up his own training for a while until he knew more.
- - -
"Hello?" a male voice asked, entering the front door of the Tendo household. "Anyone here?"
"Grandpa!" Amy shouted, running down the hall to meet the gray-haired man standing in the doorway. The man dropped down to one knee, taking his granddaughter in his arms.
"Amy!" the man said happily. "How are you?"
"Good!" she chirped.
"And you mother and father?"
"They're good!"
"And your brother?"
"He's good too!"
"Father!" Akane said, walking out into the hallway. The man rose from his granddaughter, scratching his thin mustache gently, and walking over to his daughter, giving her a hug as well. "How are you?"
"Good, good, like always." He replied, before pausing. "Where's that crazy son-in-law of mine?"
"Out in the dojo, checking on Sauske, who's training again."
"Ooo, is there going to be another fight soon?"
Akane giggled a bit. "No, he's just paranoid that Naruto's going to come after him again. He's worried he'll lose." She glanced wistfully over towards the dojo. "But, like father, like son, I guess."
"Yes, I suppose so." Soun said calmly. "So, what about my other daughter, hmm? Where did she go?"
Joseph, walking down the halls to his room, muttered, "Another business trip," before disappearing around the corner.
"Oh." Soun said to himself, before coming back to the conversation at hand. "Well, what about my other son-in-law? How's Brandon?"
"Good, he should be around here somewhere. So, watch your step." The two chuckled a bit, as Amy went back to the living room to play.
"And the rest?"
Akane began thinking back. "Auska went to visit Haku for the afternoon, and Sakura has Kendo practice."
"Ah ha. Well then, shall we have a cup of tea?"
Akane smiled. "Yes, let's."
- - -
"So, you seem to be training hard for once." Ranma observed openly, watching his son continue his push-ups.
Sauske nodded without looking up. "Naruto's been missing for a while, and it seems like he's training with someone to beat me. I figured I might as well start working out again."
Ranma nodded. "Well, at least you're training." The man turned to go out. "I wonder who he's training with?" he said quietly, walking towards the door.
"Some girl, I don't know who. Kite says he's not telling anyone who she is."
Ranma stopped dead. "Did you say 'girl'?"
"Yeah, I did. Why? Is that important or . . . WHAAA! Dad! That's heavy!" Sauske shouted.
Ranma ignored him. "Trust me, it's for your own good. When a girl starts training a Hibiki, it's bad news for everyone else." He ran to the side of the room, grabbed another weight, and laid it across Sauske's back. "Now, Do a hundred push-ups with that."
"Don't you think," Sauske began between huffs as he continued his workout, "you're overreacting?"
Ranma's answer was a simple "No."
- - -
Aki glanced at her handiwork. Naruto was progressing well, but what he had just shown her would be very good indeed. She kicked the fallen branch to examine the end. It was sliced clean through. "Naruto-kun, . . . do you have more of these?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, lots. Why?"
"You were right . . . these will help a lot."
- - -
Sakura sniffed the air as she passed through the house. There was this odd odor passing by whenever she neared Joseph's room, but she could never figure out exactly what it was. Well, it wasn't important.
She had to go bother her brother.
Slinking down the hall, she listened for any tell tale signs of training. Her father had put him on strict regimen yesterday, and with school over on this beautiful Friday afternoon, Sakura couldn't help going to watch her brother work. It would be impressive or laughable, depending on what he felt like doing.
Sliding the door open, she entered the hall, she found it was the first today, which was a rare occurrence. "So, I hear Naruto's in training. You're really bringing out the big guns this time, Sauske."
Sauske glanced over, sweat dripping down his face. "Yeah, so?"
"You must really be scared."
Sauske scoffed at that, before lowering his face down, and sliding back up. "Thirty." He counted quietly. Then, his voice picked up. "Not at all. It's just Naruto. Dad says I'm out of practice, and the fact that he's training with a girl is dangerous." He lowered back to the ground, before sliding up again. "Thirty one."
Sakura watched on in amazement. Her brother was in a handstand, balancing on each palm, with a ten kilogram dumbell plate weight placed on his feet, and doing push-ups in that position. Twenty-five was her max at doing that, mostly because she kept losing balance, but also because it was insanely hard. She would have to start doing that again, though, so that some of the ideas in that Kendo book Kite had lent her would be worth it. "Balance and strength all in one, eh?"
"Thirty two." Sauske muttered, raising back up to a fully extended arm. "It's all good as long as it gets done. And I already know it won't matter. This is Naruto we're all talking about." He dropped down again, before raising back up. "Thirty three."
"Don't assume that." Ranma muttered, entering the room. "I've known Ryoga a long time, and he's been able to pull some incredible tricks over me. Naruto could do the same thing to you. So you need to be ready." He hefted another weight in his hands. "And since you don't think the training here is valid, have fun."
Sauske dipped a bit under the weight that was dropped onto his feet, doubling what was already there. Shuffling his hands, he reached a new equilibrium, and was able to stretch back out fully. Then, he lowered down, mumbling "Thirty four," on his way back up. The sweat on his face grew, however.
"Do you think he'll be ready, father?" Sakura asked, walking over to the wall to grab a Kendo sword.
Sauske began do lower himself down when Ranma responded. "Yeah, he will."
"Thirty five." Sauske said through clenched teeth.
"All right," Ranma said, grabbing the weights off his feet. "Take a break for a few minutes, then come back and work just your legs."
Sauske dropped down to the floor, breathing hard and nodding.
- - -
Saturday was coming to a close. Aki slowly pushed herself up from the ground, rubbing her back. Naruto was up and next to her in a second. "Are you all right?" he asked, helping her stand.
Aki smiled. "Yes, Naruto-kun . . . I am fine . . . That was on purpose . . . to make sure you did it right." Her smile widened. "Which you did."
Naruto smiled back. "Well, now what?"
"We are done for today . . . Meet me here tomorrow." Aki slowly separated from the boy, walking down the road, still rubbing her back. Naruto nodded, standing where he was. Aki smiled to herself, before thinking, "Soon, Sauske. I don't think you're ready for the new Naruto, and that will not be a good thing. This time, you won't win."
- - -
Sauske leaned back, squaring up his hit. Rearing up, he slammed his fist straight down, his hand clenched, his eyes locked, his whole body flowing to swing down at the pile of wooden boards. There was a roaring CRACK! through the yard as the small stack was split deftly into two halves.
And Sauske smiled to himself, the pine feeling as tough as tissue paper. Now, he wasn't scared of Naruto at all. And with this Sunday afternoon coming to a close, there was nothing that could bother him.
"So, you've been training, huh?" Naruto said, in a much quieter voice than usual, but still with a confident volume. "You think you're good enough to beat me?"
Sauske glanced up at him, shaking his head. "Naruto, what could you possibly learn to beat me?"
"Tomorrow, after school, the baseball field at Furinkan High."
"What?"
Naruto sighed. "Tomorrow, after school, at the baseball field at Furinkan High."
"What about it?"
"Are you too stupid to get a challenge?! Meet me at the baseball field at Furinkan High tomorrow after school!" Suddenly, Naruto's voice quieted again. "And then I'll show you."
Sauske smiled, walking towards him. "I got a better idea, Naruto. Right here, right now, no holding back, winner-take-all. Huh? What do you think?"
"I think you're scared." Naruto shot back. "If you weren't, you'd be ready tomorrow."
"How do I know you aren't the coward, Naruto?" Sauske asked, turning back and returning to the boards. "You might be sneaking off to train more tonight, worried I might beat you."
"Believe what you want, but we're fighting tomorrow." Naruto slid down off the fence, onto the sidewalk, and began walking down the road. "Make sure to bring your pride, Sauske. Because when I win tomorrow, I'm taking it with me."
Sauske glared back at the disappearing form of the boy. Nothing was unusual about the way he had dressed, or carried himself, or acted for that matter; he was always too confident for his own good. But something was still bothering Sauske about his voice. "Don't worry, Naruto." He muttered to himself. "I'll be there."
Naruto was smiling to himself as he went. Aki had said to leave his new trick at home, and look as normal as possible. Be aggressive in the challenge, but even if he attacks, don't fight back. Hold every card, so he has no reason to think you're any better. And that had just been pulled off.
"Good job, Naruto-kun." Aki replied, stepping up next to him. "I do believe . . . he is thoroughly confused."
"So, what's left for today's training?"
"Rest." Aki replied. "I don't want . . . you to train today . . . your body must rest . . . before you fight him tomorrow."
"Aw, come on!" Naruto begged. "Can't we do something?!" Aki shook her head, then glared at the boy until he finished with, "Oh, all right, fine!"
Aki smiled, nodding, before continuing to walk with him down the street. "Well, Sauske, let's see you keep your aura down this time."
Next Chapter: While old rivals square off, Sakura meets someone new who seems to be hiding something very important.
Oh goodie! A big fight coming up again! Naruto and Sauske, at it again! It's been a while since my last big fight, but there's a bunch coming up soon, so enjoy. And, I'll admit, two more curses will be revealed very soon. Just so you know. And by soon, I mean in the next three chapters, at most. You'll just have to wait and see who it's going to be.
Anyway, on with the reviews:
The Liz: Yes, Naruto is a bit like his father, although a bit more energetic, and a bit less blaming of Sauske. And I said I wouldn't tell you what the curses are, so I can't say if Sakura's a wolf or not. Sorry.
Shinjiku: Well, I found my first die-hard fan for a couple that might happen! It's not bad or anything like that, just a bit new to me. And, like pretty much every other question I'm going to pretend to answer today, I just can't say whether or not Sauske and Aki will get together. But I'll try to make the story worth it either way.
manzanita: YAY! A new reviewer! You're right, I won't tell you what Sakura's curse is, but I can promise you that by the end of the story, you will know all about Sauske's aura, all the curses, and hopefully, a whole lot more too. As for the Neko-ken, I have to say I had never thought of it having to do with Sauske's aura, and to just answer the question, no, his aura has nothing to do with it. But I'm glad you brought it up.